Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 26-27, 1941

The next phase of operations is beginning to take shape and move forward.

North Pacific
Form a Fast TF to grab Atka.

A STF moves out beside it to sweep Dutch Harbor. Lew is staging ships from somewhere so we'll see if it is HERE.

Occupy Kiska and Ulak.

Central Pacific
My intrepid band of 6 DD is approaching Christmas Isle. This will certainly be a surprise if they are not spotted. Next turn should tell if Lew has Air Search running.

South Pacific
Several of the new SNLF Coy arrive at Rabaul from Tokyo (Assault 16). Form them into 3 small TF to begin grabbing up bases and dots in this region.

As thr KB moves south through the Coral Sea, an SS plants a Torp on her armored side. Luckily it is a DUD!

The Landings at New Caledonia occur on the 26th. Interesting developments:

1. My La Foa TF drops off its troops and then moves away to run right into a Cruiser TF of the Allies. No big deal, they are protected by Nagato, Mutsu, and 5 DDs. RIGHT? WRONG! The BBs separate from the APs and wait to arrive as the ENTIRE TF is sunk (9 AP and 3 AKL) by CA Australia, CLs Concord, Trenton, and Leander, and 2 DD. CRAP! After the Transports sink the BBs arrive and then they shoot terribly only hitting Australia, Concord, and Leander with a single large round. KB might hit them tomorrow IF they move towards Australia. Hate things like this happening but that is the nature of things. Luckily the AP were all low value (6-10 VP) but I hate losing faster ships.

2. The Koumac Landing finds a Marine Defense Bn and two other units present. NICE! Imperial Guards Brigade will easily drive them out and with me having la Foa, this should induce a surrender.

Daily raids against Port Moresby keep Lew focused there. Average shooting down 2-3 P-40s each day.

Philippines
It takes 6 MSW three days to clear the mines at Bataan. They now move into Manila to clear those mines. Over 100 ships wait for the harbor to be opened so we can begin the redeployment of all those troops. There are 125 Fighters and Bombers at Clark. I've rested them for nearly a week and now they will move south and begin the bombing campaign in Australia.

Load the 16th ID from Cagayan on the 27th. It is headed to Java.

90th Inf Reg gets loaded for Tarakan to finish that off.

65th Brigade will deal with the Central Philippine bases.

Java
Take Probolinggo (SE of Soerabaja) on the 26th.

My ID arrives at the base due south of Soerabaja on the 27th and will take that base on the 28th.

A bombing raid catches KX in Port at Soerabaja. I had damaged it a few days ago with ASW and now the bombers finish her off. NICE!

Cocos Isle:
My pair of CVs sink an AK a couple of hexes from the Isle on the 26th. A small strike of 16 Zero and 24 Val cream this poor ship with 9 hits before it sinks. CVs are headed for R&R at Batavia.

DEI
Lautem falls and the island is now clear of Allied units.

Pare Pare in the Celebes is taken. Most of this island is mine now.

Malaya
Malacca is taken by the Imperial Guards on the 26th. No Allied units left above Johore Bharu. Am concentrating 5th ID at Kloung where it, the Imperial Guards, and 18th ID will move from to grab Johore Bharu.

China
Nanyang is proving a harder nut to crack then Loyang. An army of 4 Japanese Inf Div cannot get to a 2-1 attack despite three attempts. Order everyone to rest while airpower hits the Chinese for a while and look for another ID to arrive before attacking again.

SS Ops
Mine explosions BOTH days are heard. I get a report of a Dutch SS sunk by mines. If true, this is nice.

Engineering
Ponape AF-3
Luganville AF-1


Just a note regarding playing time. We are headed to Denver sat-Sun to attend Denver march Pow-Wow so there won't be any turns played. Next week the family is on Spring Break and we're going on an overnight to Cheyenne to see the Union Pacific Train Museum.

[ny59giants]

My La Foa TF drops off its troops and then moves away to run right into a Cruiser TF of the Allies. No big deal, they are protected by Nagato, Mutsu, and 5 DDs. RIGHT? WRONG! The BBs separate from the APs and wait to arrive as the ENTIRE TF is sunk (9 AP and 3 AKL) by CA Australia, CLs Concord, Trenton, and Leander, and 2 DD. CRAP! After the Transports sink the BBs arrive and then they shoot terribly only hitting Australia, Concord, and Leander with a single large round. KB might hit them tomorrow IF they move towards Australia. Hate things like this happening but that is the nature of things. Luckily the AP were all low value (6-10 VP) but I hate losing faster ships.

Was any TF ordered to follow another TF or were they both going their separate ways??

Day or night combat??

[John 3rd]

Hey Sir.

The Convoy was following the BBs. Combat occurred at night so one could justify some sort of snafu for it happening but it was RUDE!

[vicberg]

Ahhh....the joys of following. A less elegant solution, but might have prevented the loss of the entire TF, would have been to combine both TFs. I hate following. It just really doesn't always work. They aren't moving simultaneously, so the TFs can be attacked separately.

There's no true escort capability, which is a pain. True escorting is combining into one.

[John 3rd]

Normally I embed at least one heavy and a couple of DDs. Didn't do that here and regret that. Well...it follows that we WON'T make that mistake again. Best news in the whole mess was that they had already unloaded. If it had happened with the entire SNLF Assault Division on-board then THAT would have been BAD!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 28-30, 1942

This week is Spring break out here and so I have been busy. Took the family last weekend to Denver March Pow-Wow on Saturday, stayed in Denver, and went to the Butterfly Pavillion: VERY popular with 8 and 6 year-old children! With the boys home it is hard to get a sane, quiet moment to write! We're headed to Cheyenne on Thurs-Fri to see the Union Pacific train museum. That should be pretty cool!

Busy times in the Pacific.

North Pacific
I sent a STF of 2 CL and 6 DD towards Dutch Harbor and get action! The TF runs into hapless DD Hatfield two hexes west of DH and sink it very quickly. They then move into the harbor and find BB Warspite and 4 DD. A close-range knife fight ensues with the CLs pounding the big boy with shells (No TORPS!) while the DDs sink the USS Kane and cripple another DD. For very little damage the TF gets away. Would lvoe to have placed a TT into Warspite but perhaps I can do that when she approaches Attu next time.

Take Atka on the 29th.

Central Pacific
My small band of DDs should reach Christmas tomorrow. They have not been spotted by air search.

South Pacific
Take Koumac and La Foa, New Caledonia on the 28th. The Koumac victory is made sweeter by getting the 2nd Marine Defense Bn to surrender with the other two small units.

Noumea is undefended and it will fall tomorrow.

The 3 CVs of the KB don't see anything on the 28th, sink DD Parrott on the 29th, and move towards Suva on the 30th.

Hit PM everyday.

Landings: Have three small SNLF Coy working the area and they take Aitape, Tagula, Nadzab, and Rossel.

Philippines
The great sealift commences as four Japanese Inf Div are loading at Manila to head for Rabaul and then Noumea.

The Mindanao garrison is lifted with 90th Inf Reg about the end the fight at Tarakan, 16th ID headed for Java, and the 65th Birgade is now loading to deal with the Central Philippines.

Pull some Oscars and Sallys from Clark and begin the process of moving them to Rabaul. Need to buttress my aerial forces here until the 9th Air Fleet arrives from the Home Isles.

Java
Soerabaja will be attacked by 2nd ID tomorrow.

Cocos has been quiet for the last couple of days.

Have five CVs now at Batavia. Am resting Hiryu and Ryujo to let them take some Sys Dam off.

DEI
Take Jesselton, Tawau, and 45,75 (Sumatra).

Burma
The 55th crosses the river north of Moulmein and shall attack the 3 units defending that hex tomorrow.

China
Attack Wenchow again and get a 1-2 result. This place is proving to be a lot tougher then I planned. Move two more Inf Div to reinforce the attack. That should do it.

Take hex 87,46 and inflict another 5,000 casualties on the Chinese.


Sorry for the brevity of this report but wanted to make sure I got SOMETHING Posted while I had some peace and quiet.

Strategy:
I had the thought that since Lew is busy reinforcing Suva, I wonder if I should stage a DIVERSION by landing there with my two Inf Brigades to draw more US Troops and reinforcement up there while I plan for the Australia Campaign? Would it be worth it to do this? Those units were/are earmarked to help the China Inf Div at Rabaul with the Cairns Landing. Could pretty much assume that they will get trashed if sent to the Suva area...

[FatR]

I don't think that a diversion like this will be meaningful. A good opponent will feel that something is fishy after seeing a half-hearted effort. Plus, lost troops.

[John 3rd]

My little band of 6 DD finds GOLD at Christmas Island! They pay a short visit, sink 6 TK and an AO and then skedaddle back for Jaluit having suffered no damage!

NICE!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: FatR

I don't think that a diversion like this will be meaningful. A good opponent will feel that something is fishy after seeing a half-hearted effort. Plus, lost troops.

Good to see you Posting Stanislav. I concur. Continue to think about it but thinking landing at Cairns in a few weeks is the better idea.

[John 3rd]

Lew and I had a banner day getting 3 turns in Wednesday. My family and I are going to Cheyenne on a short overnight trip while Lew has a funeral to attend. Tomorrow night I shall do a full update as well as detail the OOB for the Aussie Landings. Right now there are 4 ID and 8 Artillery units heading for Rabaul--Noumea. The 9th Air Fleet (HQ, 3 Air Flotilla, 3 large Base Force, 3 small BF) is now loading at Nagasaki and its aircraft will begin the long transit to their bases around Rabaul. Getting the ball rolling...

[John 3rd]

We went to Cheyenne, WY and saw the largest steam engine I've ever seen. Has anyone ever seen the 'big boy' #4004 there? That locomotive is HUGE! We had a pleasant couple of days up there.

Lew and I just got a turn done (Feb 5th) and I REALLY need the time to update the AAR. No huge events but lots of things happening.

[seille]

Ok, then push the cat aside and start typing [:D]
Great pic btw.

[John 3rd]

Couldn't help but Post the cat! Paula took those pictures about a week ago and finally got her to download them so they could be put on the Forum. GREAT stuff!

Am hoping that nap-time this afternoon will allow me to Post an update.

[Dan Nichols]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Couldn't help but Post the cat! Paula took those pictures about a week ago and finally got her to download them so they could be put on the Forum. GREAT stuff!

Am hoping that nap-time this afternoon will allow me to Post an update.

You post while you're taking a nap? [&:]

[John 3rd]

THAT would be naptime FOR THE CHILDREN! Dork!

[John 3rd]

Man-Cubs are out. Time to write...

[ny59giants]

Sounds like John could use one too. [;)]

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 31-Feb 6, 1942

With it being Spring Break getting serious time to write on the AAR has been tough. Got the boys down sleeping (I HOPE!) so we'll address the last week of the war.

North Pacific
The USS Saratoga makes her presence felt in a mean and nasty way when 6 F4F 15 SBD 12 TBD appear over the STF that was covering a convoy. This attack occurs just SW of Attu and tantalizingly close to Paramushiro Jima. The attack sucks for the Americans, however, a single 1000lb bomb sinks CL Naka. Must have hit a vital location!

Order all shipping to bugout and move towards PJ. A troops convoy, supply convoy, tanker convoy and a STF all move towards the west. Wanting to blood the American Air Group, I move 12 Zero to Attu and bring in a couple of AKLs to serve as bait. The lure works on the 2nd as 6 F4F 14 SBD are jumped by 10 Zero. The Zeros shoot down 3 fighters and 3 SBD for no loss. Not bad. A long-range strike hits CL Jintsu with a 500lb bomb just 7 hexes from PJ.

Two American DDs try a sweep of Attu waters but come up empty on the 3rd while and entire American Strike Group (4 F 17 SBD 10 TBD) manage just one hit on a DD as it flees for the Kuriles.

No other action occurs. The Saratoga slowly moves east on the 4th and 5th. For no apparent reason a strike (5 F4F 15 SBD) hits Adak on the 6th.

Attu's AF is Sz-1-82% as of this turn. A just got an Air Flotilla available at Tokyo. It is headed for Attu so I can bring a nice 'surprise' to Saratoga next time she moves west. Have the 12 Zero and 21 Kates that will fly from there as soon as it hits Sz-2.

Am now seriously looking at deploying CV Junyo and CVL Nisshin up north to SINK this pesky American CV.

Central Pacific
Christmas Isle gains the long-range Deep Strike of my 6 DD on the 1st. They totally surprise a fuel TF there. The Japanese sink 6 TK and an AO for the effort. No damage is taken and the DDs head for Jaluit. Fuel, an AKE, and an old CL await their arrival.

South Pacific
The KB finishes its sweep near Suva on the 1st. The carriers head for Rabaul before they make a thrust due South between New Zealand and Australia.

New Caledonia is finished on the 31st when Noumea falls.

Move the South Seas Force down from Luganville to take Efate on the 6th.

Am moving lots of troops down from Truk to Rabaul and from Rabaul to Noumea.

Bases Taken: Salamaua, Buna, Dagau, and Deboyne

This ends Part One of the Update...

[John 3rd]

Philippines
All but one of my Inf Divisions have left the Philippines. There are 4 Inf Div en route to Rabaul--Noumea currently. I begin loading the 21st at Manila to head for Mersing to aid the final phase of the Malaya Campaign.

At Cagayan I load the 65th Brigade and wait for a BC and 2 CA to provide gunfire support. The ships arrive on the 4th and immediately land at Cebu on the 5th. GLAD to have those guns because CD is pretty strong there. Cebu falls to a 6-1 attack on the 6th. Will rest the troops a few days and continue taking the Central Philippines.

Java
Soerabaja falls to the 2nd Inf Div on the 1st. In a positive development beyond this, SS KXVIII is scuttled to avoid capture. One less Dutch SS! CL Sumatra was here and tries to get away but is sunk off Semarang on the 2nd. I believe this makes the total TEN CLs sunk at this point.

CL Agano and 3 DDs catch two other survivors fleeing the fall of the city and sink a PG and PT Boat.

Troops move out from Soerabaja immediately with the brigade taking the northern road and the ID going along the southern one. Tjepoe is taken on the 6th and the retreating units from Soerabaja are forced to retreat again on the same day as the 2nd ID catches them.

Cocos is bombarded twice during these days and it appears no more ships are coming here. Looks like my fertile Hunting Ground is drying up...


Just got asked to work tonight so that ends this! CRAP. Love undependable employees... Will try to finish this when I get home in a couple of hours.

[John 3rd]

Malaya
Things are in very good shape here. Three Japanese ID arrive at Johore Bharu and assault it on Feb 5th. The result is a 1-1 and Forts drop to 0. Prepare to attack again within a couple of days. To help the operation I order the last Inf Div in the Philippines to head for Mersing. Four ID will assault Singapore.

Burma
Lew makes a terrible mistake (my opinion). The Japanese begin their advance on Rangoon with LESS THEN ONE INF DIV and he choses to not fight but withdraw.

SE of Pegu hex 56,54 falls on the 31st. Troops advance on Pegu. Pegu falls on the 4th. Split my already weak force to advance north up the road as well as west towards Rangoon. Rangoon is occupied on the 6th before a single soldier can even enter it.

The withdrawal shall allow me take southern Burma. I will grab everything around Rangoon up to Toungee(SP?). Once I have a second Inf Div present then we'll drive north towards Mandalay. Taking southern Burma with so little force is a godsend.

Sumatra
Resistance effectively ends here during this week of action. Japanese troops drive in all directions taking hexes and bases without real issue: 45,79 (31st), Sabang and 46,78 on the 1st, and Medan on the 6th.

Australia
The troops continue their work setting up the assault upon Aussieland. Nookbanah falls on the 31st. Troops move out towards catherine using the road there and drive two Aussie units before them. Right now I have two TK Reg and an Inf Brig moving towards Katherine.

More and more service and engineer troops are landing at the Corunna Downs area. The AFs are being expanded and the Port is as well. Plenty of supply is here and everything points to a solid launching base to threaten Perth within a month.

China
Nanyang has been stubborn but I have a total of 7 Inf Div moving there to force the Chinese out. Once that happens we shall drive on Sian.

SS Operations:
2-3: I-17 sinks AK Royal T Frank and AP President Jackson at Pago Pago. NICE Work!
2-4: I-19 hits AK San Gabriel near Christmas
2-5: I-19 sinks AK Mormacman at Christmas

Engineering:
Nagasaki AF-4
Harbin AF-7
Mutankiang AF-6
Wuchang Pt-3
Batavia AF-5
Fusan Pt-6
Hankow AF-7

Major Movements:
1. Buy out my 2nd Chinese Inf Div on the 4th. The 3rd ID is beat-up and close to Changsha. It is now headed to Wuchang where it will be loaded and moved to Rabaul.

2. The entire 11th Air Fleet is loaded and heads for Rabaul on 5th.

3. The west coast side of this operation will be handled by Army Air HQ units. Two are loaded at Manila on the 6th and head for NW Australia.

4. Two Air Flotilla arrive at Tokyo on the 5th and one is sent to Attu while the other goes to link-up with its fragment in Batavia.

5. One of my damaged chicks begins her move to Manila. CVL Zuiho (0 Sys--38 Flot-31 Eng) departs Batavia escorted by a damaged CL and 5 DD. It is able to make only 4 hexes a day at cruise speed.

6. Next CV to leave shall be Soryu who's damage is nearly safe. She is Sys 6--36 Flot--0 Eng. Once that Sys drops to 0 she will head for Hong Kong. Good news is that she can still make 22 knots so it won't be that long of a day in days.